knock cold
Definition
Verb (transitive) To render someone unconscious or completely senseless, typically through a physical blow or impact.
Usage
This phrasal verb is used to describe the action of causing someone to lose consciousness, often suddenly and forcefully. It is most commonly associated with physical confrontations, combat sports, or accidents.
Examples
- The powerful punch knocked the boxer cold.
- The impact of the crash knocked the driver cold.
- He was knocked cold by a falling branch during the storm.
Advanced Usage
The phrase can be used figuratively to describe something that is extremely surprising, shocking, or overwhelming, to the point of metaphorically stunning a person. * The news of the company's sudden bankruptcy knocked the employees cold.
Variants and Related Words
- Knock out (phrasal verb): A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "knock cold," especially in the context of boxing.
- The champion aimed to knock out his challenger.
- Cold-cock (verb, informal): To knock someone unconscious with a punch.
- The villain cold-cocked the guard from behind.
Synonyms
- Stun
- Render unconscious
- Kayo (slang, from "knockout")
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Knock down: To cause someone or something to fall to the ground.
- The strong wind knocked down the fence.
- Knock over: To strike something so that it falls or overturns.
- He accidentally knocked over his glass of water.
Related Idioms
- Out cold: An adjectival phrase describing the state of being unconscious.
- After the hit, he was out cold for several minutes.
Verb
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knock unconscious or senseless
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the boxing champion knocked out his opponent in a few seconds
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